I think both Cary and Bruce mentioned it. Mybulovia forums have this type of identification for their watches. They use picture identification instead of using advertisements.

The watch table forum is intended for watch collections. We could rename the "Model Identification and discussion" forum to the "Model Identification Database and discussion" We can use the template above and see if we could do an "auto fill". When someone posts a new watch for identification, this template would be included in the message and they fill out as much information as possible.

When all the replies are gathered, a moderator or administrator could edit and fill in the rest.

It has nothing to do with my watch collection, it is the people I share my watch collection with that matters.

This really is a great idea, the only concern I have is
How many pictures of a 440 movement do we need? or any Curvex movement
Why not a new sub section for Movement pictures only, like Ranftt but with Gruen movements
Its the same with case backs if the details are recorded do we need a picture of every one
I am open on the case backs
I am not sure if it possible but could every picture uploaded be the same size? WxH
B

Depends on the poster. If the movement caliber is unknown a picture helpt to identify it. Also with the case back information. Not sure if a newcomer knows what a case serial is, or where to find the style no. Unless we make some HELP on which info can be found where.

Bazzab

Why not a new sub section for Movement pictures only, like Ranftt but with Gruen movements

Depends on the poster. If the movement caliber is unknown a picture helpt to identify it. Also with the case back information. Not sure if a newcomer knows what a case serial is, or where to find the style no. Unless we make some HELP on which info can be found where.

Sorry I thought you where talking about a Watch database, where known watches would be posted , not a newcomes ID section
B

Why not a new sub section for Movement pictures only, like Ranftt but with Gruen movements

Or ask Ranftt to add the missing calibers into his archive?

I beleive that Ranftt needs to see the movements before he enters it on his database
We as Gruenites already hold the movements So that would not be a problem
A database of movements would bring to life the Gruen Parts and Material books
B

Sorry I thought you where talking about a Watch database, where known watches would be posted , not a newcomes ID section

First I was. But then Gary proposed to make a combined section. I think that can work well. Sorry for the confusion!

No Problem, I must admit I have doubts about a combined section, I was thinking the Watch database would be a Gruen Model Identification and if you cant find your watch there back to the ID section. The two together maybe come very messy?
Dont know!
B

Sorry I thought you where talking about a Watch database, where known watches would be posted , not a newcomes ID section

First I was. But then Gary proposed to make a combined section. I think that can work well. Sorry for the confusion!

No Problem, I must admit I have doubts about a combined section, I was thinking the Watch database would be a Gruen Model Identification and if you cant find your watch there back to the ID section. The two together maybe come very messy?
Dont know!
B

I'll think about that one for awhile, play around a bit. Yes it could get messy. I'm thinking a moderator assigned to keep it clean, go back and fill in missing information in the template once identified. Yes, sleep on it.

It has nothing to do with my watch collection, it is the people I share my watch collection with that matters.

One thing i've found from another forum i moderate at is that it is imperative to use the "KISS" formula when setting things up so that no one gets befuddled. KISS = Keep It Stupidly Simple
That formula tends to reduce the workload for moderators & admins as things grow.

What about separating the watches as entered in 'decade' categories? ie 1920's watches, 1930's watches etc... rather than just haphazardly entering them.

Like this idea. At least for the models from 1935 to 1957 this categorisation could maybe be linked to the existing Style Number Dating Table. When entering the caliber/style number of a watch this could follow automatically through a look-up function?

What about separating the watches as entered in 'decade' categories? ie 1920's watches, 1930's watches etc... rather than just haphazardly entering them.

Like this idea. At least for the models from 1935 to 1957 this categorisation could maybe be linked to the existing Style Number Dating Table. When entering the caliber/style number of a watch this could follow automatically through a look-up function?

I like the idea but you would surely confuse the new folks who want their watches identified. Where do I put it? We could create a new category with the decade model forums and have them accessible to the moderators only who would frequently take threads from the main forum and move them into the proper decade forums. The decade forum would be "read-only" for normal users to browse.

Thinking out loud here.

Never mind about thinking, take a look, too much?

It has nothing to do with my watch collection, it is the people I share my watch collection with that matters.

I really think you need to keep the 'please identify my watch' and the 'identified watches' database categories completely separate. I guess u could lock down the identified watch category initially until everyone becomes comfortable with the procedures.

I really think you need to keep the 'please identify my watch' and the 'identified watches' database categories completely separate. I guess u could lock down the identified watch category initially until everyone becomes comfortable with the procedures.

Done

It has nothing to do with my watch collection, it is the people I share my watch collection with that matters.